Weighing-machine



No Model) 3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

F. H. RICHARDS. WBIGHING MAGHINE.

No. 573,421. Patented'Deo. 15, 1896* Fig.1.

Witnesses: Inventor:

(No Model.) BSheets-Sheet 2.

I. H. RICHARDS WEIGHING MACHINE.

No. 573,421. Patented Dec. 15,1896.

Fig. i.

Witnesses: .hQ-Wfl 691.-

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m0 Modem 1 s Sheets-Sheet 3 F. H. RICHARDS.

WBIGHING MACHINE. No. 573,421. PatentedDec. 15, 1896..

Witnesses:

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANCIS H. RICHARDS, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT.

WElGHlNG-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 573,421, dated December 15, 1896.

Application filed July 15, 1896. Serial No. 599,308. (No model.)

To (tZZ whom it may GOnccPn:

Be it known that I, FRANCIS H. RICHARDS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Hartford, in the county of Hartford and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvem ents in lVeighing-"llachin es, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to weighingmachines, an object of the invention being to provide improved load -supply mechanism comprehending in its preferred construction a chute and an adjacent oscillating valve which is supported to receive its closing force from a descending mass of material from said chute, such force being directed against one side of the axis of movement of said valve.

Another object of the invention is the provision of means for imparting a vibratory or reciprocatory movement to a part of the loadsupply mechanism during the bucket-loading period, whereby the mass therein is loosened up and a free flow of the supply-stream to the bucket or weigher is insured.

A further object is to furnish improved bucket mechanism so organized and operable as to effect the discharge of a load of material therein in a relatively short space of time, by virtue of which the capacity of the machine is correspondingly increased.

In the drawings accompanying and forming part of this specification, Figure 1 is a front elevation of a weighing-machine comprising my present improvements in the preferred form thereof. Fig. 2 is an end elevation as seen from the left in Fig. 1, portions being broken away and in section to illustrate more clearly certain peculiar features of the invention. Fig. 3 is a similar viewillustratin g the positions occupied by the respective parts during the discharge of a bucket-load; and Fig. 4 is a detail in sectional plan view, the section being taken in line at at, Fig. 2.

Similar characters designate like parts in all the figures of the drawings.

The framework for supporting the operative parts of the machine may be of anysuitable character, and it is herein shown consisting of the end frames or columns 2 and 4, mounted upon the base 3.

A supply hopper or chute, constituting on of the coordinate elements of the load-supply mechanism, is shown at H, and is furnished with the preferably-integral brackets 5 and 5, suitably fastened to the end frames 2 and t.

The bucket mechanism consists of a bucket having a suitable discharge-outlet and a closer for said outlet, the latter being supported independently of the bucket.

The bucket or weigher is designated by G, and is preferably supported for oscillatory movement within the frame 6, said bucket having projecting trunnions 7 and 7, journaled in suitable bearings formed in the end members or bars of the frame 6.

For supporting the bucket the beam mechanism illustrated may be employed, and consists of the oppositely disposed counterweighted scalebeams l3 and. 13, suitably fulcrumed on the base 3 of the machine, and the arms of said beams will be furnished with suitable supports, which sustain bearings depending from and connected to the bucketframe 6.

The bucket is shown having the approximately vertical discharge-outlet 8, preferably equaling in width the distance between the end walls of said bucket.

The closer for the bucket-discharge outlet is designated by L, and consists of a segmental plate or closer proper, which preferably fits tightly against the curved end walls of the bucket and projects a short distance below the horizontal bottom of the latter when in its shut position, as indicated in Fig. 2. The closer L will be'preferably supported for move- 111 out independently of the bucket, so that one of said members may have a multiplied oscillatory movement relatively to the other for discharging its load in a minimum space of time, it being seen 011 reference to Fig. 3 that the greater part of the discharge-outlet of the bucket G is disclosed. The closer L is furnished with the end portions 10 and 10, which have the pivots 12, working in suitable bearings formed in the bucket-frame 6.

The bucket and closer are shown in the normal positions thereof in Fig. 2. The center of gravity of the loaded bucket is located at one side or to the rear of the axis of oscillation of said bucket, the latter being normally held against load-discharging movement by suitable restraining or detent means.

It will be evident that when the bucket is Ico released at the proper point in the operation of the machine the mass of material therein will cause it to tilt er oscillate to the position shown in Fig. 3, the bottom of the bucket being then disposed at a relatively steep angle or inclinat ion, so that the contents may be dis charged with rapidity through the dischargeoutlet thereof.

A vertically-disposed detent is shown at 13 rigid with the projecting trunnion 7, and hav ing its free end positioned for engagement by a suitable detentsuch as the latch l-t. The bucket-latch llis preferably counterweighted, its detent or countel-weighted arm 11- swinging downward to engage the free end of the codperating bucket-detent when the bucket is in its normal position. It will be evident that when the detent 14- of the latch is raised or elevated and above the plane of rotation of the detent 123 the bucket G will be freed of all restraint, and, being filled, will be caused to oscillate or tilt for discharging its contents. The movement of the latch 14: will be preferably limited by suitable stops, as is usual.

The closer ll will have a movement away from the horizontal portion of the bucket for further increasing the area of the dischargeoutlet of the bucket, and for ell'ecting this operation actuating connections with the bucket will be preferably employed. A rock-arm is shown at 15 rigidly attached to the buckettrunnion 7. A second and relatively longer rock-arm is illustrated at fixedlyconneeted to the closer-pivot 12 and connected to the rock-arm by the interposed link 17, which latter is pivoted, respectively, to said rockarms. On the release and oscillation of the bucket the detent 13 will swing to what is shown as the left, and, through the agency of the projectingtrunnion 7, the rock-arm 1-5, the connecting-link l7, and the rock-arm 16, will be thrust downward and the closer L up ward, it being evident that through the inter vention of the describedconnections the horizontal portion of the bucket and the closer L will be caused to move in oppositedirections, or away from each other.

The l0a il-su1')ply mechanism comprehends a chute and an adjacentoscillating valve supported to receive its closing force from a descending mass of material from said chute, such force being directed against one side of the axis of movement of said valve, thereby effecting, as is obvious, a saving in the running expense of the machine.

The chute or hopper is shown at ll. and the valve or cut-off at 20, the latter consisting in the present instance of an approximately flat plate supported for oscillatory movement by the two-part shaft 21 at a pointabout midway its front and rear ends, said shaft having suitable bearings in its extremities for the reception of journals carried by the framing of the machine.

The valve is shown furnished with the vertical guard-walls 22 and 2'3, which constitute an efficient means for preventing side flow of the nn'tterial sustained on said valve.

A streaiii-regulator or conduit is shown at R, located between the valve 20 and the chute H, and consists of two com 'ilemental sections 23 and 21-, pivoted together at 213, the fi rstmentioned section being hinged or pivoted at 23 to the valve. Flaeh ot' the rcgulater-sections 23 and Q-l will be provided with end walls, the end walls of the section 2-) overl.-i ping those of the other, so that said regulator formsaninelosure for the downllowing stream of material from the chute and C(JllStllllllOS practically a continuation of such plate.

A pair of rearwardly-exle n ding brackets or arms are shown. at and 25, formed. rigid with the chute or hopper ll, which have pivoted thereto the suspension-links 2t and so, which at the commencenurnt of (narration of the machine are disposed a little to the left of the vertical.

A pair of rock-arms are shown at 27 and 27, connected to the pivots 23 and jointed to the suspension-links 26 and 26, respectively.

The operation of the regulator it and its connected parts will be apparent from an inspection of Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawings. A mass of material being in the chute or hopper ll will gravitate downward, and the force thereof will be directed partly against the rear of the valve 20 and the regulator-section 12-), considerable pressure being applied to the pivotal or hinge point 23', such action slowly throwing the discharge edge 2 of the valve 20 upward, the volume of the stream of ma terial which flows between such discharge edges of the valve 20 and the regulatcw-section 521- being reduced in correspondence with such movement, the stream being subsequently cut off.

The regl'ilator-scclions 2 and 524', it will be understood, move downward in unison, the last-mentioned coaeting with the val ve to rednce the volume of the suw ly-stream by directing the down tlmving mass away from the discharge edge of said valve.

Means will be employed for limiting the closure of the valve 20, and hence the down ward movement of the regulator-sectitms 2.? and let, and for this purpose the l1)llowing-described instrumentalities may be employed: A rock-arm is shown at 3 projecting roan ward from the twopart valvcsup )orting shaft 21 and has pivoted thereto the depending rod. 31.. A comiterweighted lever is illustrated at 32, pivotally supported adjacentto the inner or poising side of the smle beamv B and having an antifriction-roll 33 against; which the rod 31 adapted to bear during the major period of the operation of the ma chine. The weight of the lever 23; will be normally added to the counferpoised side of the scale-beam ll, where it is held by suitable means, so that the non-eounterweighted arm of such lever practically constitu tesan in tegral extension of said scale-beam. ()n the descent of the scale-beam, said lever being in contact with the rod 31, it will be evident that the closure of the valve 20 will be limited or checked in accordance with the movement of the beam mechanism. On the discharge of a load of material the lever 32 will be held in its extreme position, and the counterpoised side of the beam B will move away from the counterweight of said lever, and when the bucket G has resumed its normal or load-receiving position the lever 32 may also resume its normal position, and in so doing will impart an upward thrust to the rod 31, which is communicated to the valve 20, for forcing the same open and for also returning the regulator R to its normal position.

Means will be employed for imparting a vibratory or shaking movement to the regulator R, and hence to the connected valve,

such action taking place preferably during the load-supply period, so that the mass in said regulator and on the valve will be loosened up, and a free flow of the supply-stream to the bucket or weigher G will be assured.

A shaft is shown at 33, journaled in the brackets 34 and 34, formed on the chute H and end frame 4', respectively, said shaft carrying the pulley 35, which may be connected with a suitable motor. (Not shown.) The shaft is also provided with a cam or toothed wheel 36, which is splined or otherwise secured to said shaft, the regulator Rbeing furnished with a projection or antifrictionroll 37, which is forcible into the plane of rotation of the teeth of the member 36.

It will be evident that by Virtue of the disposition of the suspension-links 26 and 26 the regulator R will be self-operative toward the cam-wheel, so that the roll 37 may be thrust across the plane of rotation of the teeth of the wheel 36, and as said teeth are successively caused to engage with the antifriction-roll 37 an opposite movement will be imparted to the regulator R and its vibration thereby effected, said vibration continuing until the roll 37 and suspension-links 26 and 26 have assumed the positions shown in Fig. 3.

My present invention contemplates the provision of reciprocally-effective stops operative, respectively, with the load-discharge member (which in the present instance is the bucket G) and the valve or cut-oft 20. The valve-operative stop is shown at 38, depending from and formed integral with the twopart shaft 21, the coacting or bucketoperative stop being designated by 39, and both stops being preferably segmental blades. Said stops will be furnished with the supplemental stops 38 and 38 and 39 and 39, the

supplemental stops 38 and 39 being shown as curved faces and concentric with the axes of movement of the members 38 and 39. lhe action of the coacting stops will be apparent on reference to Figs. 2 and 3, the supplemental stop 39" being approximately contiguous to the supplemental stop 38, so that should the latch 14 be prematurely tripped the discharge oscillation of the bucket G will be positively prevented by the stop member 38, which blocks the movement of the member 39, the thrust of the latter being directed against the two-part shaft 21, and this relation continuing so long as the stops 3S and 39 are in contact. When, however, the supplemental stop 38 has intersected the arc of the supplemental stop 39, the stop member 39 and the bucket G are free to oscillate, and on such movement the curved face 39 will travel along the supplemental stop 38", whereby the member 39 positively arrests the return move ment of the member 38, and consequently positively maintains the valve 20 in its shut or stream cut-off position. \Vhen the bucket G has resumed its normal position, these supplemental stops will pass out of contact, so that the valve 20 may be opened.

Means are provided for intercepting the valve at a predetermined point in its closing movement, whereby it may be held to permit the flow of the drip-stream into the bucket to complete the partial load therein. A depending rod is shown at 4:2 rigidly connected with the valve-supporting shaft 21, and a cooperating stop for engaging the same is shown as the counterweighted by-pass 13, pivotally mounted on the beam B, the vertical portion of said by-pass engaging said .rod at the commencement of the poising period. When the beam B passes below the poising-line, indicating the completion of a bucket-load, the

rod t2, and hence the valve 20, will be released, whereby the latter may be closed to cut off the supply-stream.

A latch-tripper is shown at 40 as a projection on the thrust-rod 31, and having a movement into engagement with the latch-pin 41 when the valve 20 has nearly reached the end of its cut-off movement, whereby the detent portion 14 of the latch will be raised and disengaged from the cooperating bucket-detent 13. hen this action takes place, the bucket G will be free to oscillate.

The operation of the hereinbefore-described weighing-machine is as follows: Fig. 2 represents the positions occupied by the respective parts at the commencement of operation, the bucket G and closer being locked in the normal positions thereof by the latch 14, which is in engagement with the bucket-detent 13, the, valve 20 being opened, so that a stream of material may descend from the supply-chute H, through the regulator R, over the Valve 20, and into the bucket. hen a cer tain proportion of the load has been received by the bucket, it and the beam mechanism, and hence the shiftable lever 32, will descend, and said lever falling from under the thrustrod 31 thereby permits the closure of the valve 20 by the force of the descending mass of material from the chute II. On the completion of the bucket load and when the valve 20 has nearly reached the close of its cut-01f movement the projection 40 on the thrust-rod 31 will be forced into engagement with the latch-pin 41, so that the detent por tion l-l" ol the latch will be raised clear of the bucket-detent l3 and the bucket G thereby freed of all restraint. Such action taking place, the weight of material in the bucket will cause the same to oscillate or tilt to effect the discharge of the completed bucket-load.

Having described my invention, I claim.

1. The combination with a bucket having a discharge-outlet; of a closer in position for controllin said outlet, said bucket and closer being movable about independent axes; a detent for holding said bucket against oscillation during the supply of material thereto; and means connecting said detent with the closer, whereby when the bucket tilts to discharge its load said closer is given a movement opposite to the motion of the bucket.

2. The combination with weighing mech anism, of a tilting bucket; a closer for said bucket, supported by the framework of the machine; means connecting said closer with the bucket, whereby the closer is given a motion opposite to that of the bucket; a latch for holding the closer shut during the iilling of the bucket; and means controlled by the weighing mechanism, for tripping the latch.

3. The combination with a frame, of a bucket having projecting trunnions jou rnaled therein, one of which is provided with a rocle arm; and a closer supported in position for regulating the dischargeoutlet of the bucket, having a rock-arm connected by a link to said first-mentioned rock-arm.

t. The combination with a frame, of a bucket having projecting trunnions jou rnaled therein, one of which is provided with a rockarm; a closer supported in position for regulatin g the discharge-outlet of the b neket, having a rockarm connected by a link to said first-mentioned rock-arm; a detent rigidly connected to said trunnion; a latch for engag ing said detent; and a latch-tripping device.

The combination with a bucket supported for oscillatory movement, said bucket having an outlet; of a closer for said outlet, having an opening movement in opposition to the movement of the bucket; means operative for maintaining the bucket and closer in their normal positions; a valve supported to receive its closing force from the descending mass of material. passing from the supplyspout; and a stop device for preventing movements of the valve or bucket except at the proper times.

(S. The combination with a frame, of a bucket journaled therein and having a discharge-outlet, the end walls of the bucket adjacent to said outlet being curved; a segmental closer-plate hinged to the frame and adapted, when in. its normal position, to bear tightly against said curved walls and also to project below said horizontal bottom; and

means [or maintaining said bucket and closer in the normal positions thereof.

7. The combination with a chute and with a valve, of an interposed. regulator, and a toothed wheel forimparting a vibratory mo vemcnt to said regulator.

S. The combination with a chute and with a valve, of an interposed regulator connected to one of said parts, and a toothed wheel for imparting a vibratory movement to said regle lator.

9. The combination with a chute and with a valve, of an interposed regulator conneehjal to said valve, and a toothed wheel for imparting a vibratory movement to said regulator.

10. The COUlblllZttlUll with a chute, oi a reg ulator adjacent thereto and self-operative in one direction, and a toothed wheel for inrparting an opposite stroke to said regulator, whereby it will be vibrated.

1].. The combination with a chute, elf a valve, and an interposed regulator consisting oi two hinged sections, one ol. which is connected to said valve.

12. The combination with. a chute and with a valve, oi. a regulator; a pair oi. suspensionlinks connected to said regiiilaimr, whereby the regulator is self-operative in one direction; and means for imparting an opposite stroke to said regulator.

.53. The combination with a chute and with a valve, of a regulator; a pair of suspensi nlinks connected to said regulator, whereby the regulator is self-operative in one direction; and a cam for imparting an opposite stroke to said regulator.

11-. The combination with a chute, oi. a valve; an interposed regulator consisting of two hinged sections, one of which is provided with a projection and the other oi? which is connected to St lid valve; a pair oit' suspensitmlinks connected to said. regulatm' by rockarms; and a cam for engaging said projection.

15. The combination with a chute, of an ad jacent oscillating valve supported to receive its closing force from the descemliug mass of material from said chute, which force is directed against one side of the axis of movement of said valve.

lb. The combinathm with weighing meehanism embodying a shii'table bucket, o.|.' a chute; an adjacent oscillating valve supported to receive its closing force from a tlO5 j0lltling mass of material from said chute, which force is directed against one side of the axis of movement ol said valve; and recipromliy ellective stop devices operative, respectively, with said valve and bucket.

FRANCIS ll. ltICliAl-KIJS.

\Vitnesses:

FRED. J. Donn, F. N. CHASE. 

